Delhi constable’s family loses its only hope

The 24-year-old traffic constable Manna Ram who was killed at northwest Delhi’s Zakhira flyover by an errant driver was the sole breadwinner of a family of six.

“We were very excited when Manna was selected for Delhi police and got an opportunity to come to the Capital. He was the only hope of our family,” said a teary-eyed Gena Ram, the victim’s father.

Ram is survived by a young wife, a two year old son, his parents and sisters. He was the only son who also had the responsibility of getting his two younger sisters married.

Constable Manna Ram belonged to Nagaur district in Rajasthan and was the only member from his family of farmers to be employed in the Delhi police. He joined the force in 2010 and was deployed in the traffic division only a year ago.

At around 7:30 pm when Ram was diverting traffic at the Zakhira flyover towards Moti Nagar, a white Maruti Ritz sped towards him and suddenly stopped near the picket. When the car was not allowed to cross the barricade an argument followed.

Another constable stationed along with Ram claimed that after a minute long argument, the driver reversed his car and it seemed like he was finally listening to Ram and taking the diverted route but instead he unexpectedly raced across the barricade.

“To stop the car Ram jumped onto its bonnet but the driver did not slow down. Within minutes he lost his grip and fell on the ground and even after that his body was dragged for several meters,” said Muktesh Chander, special commissioner of police (traffic).

His colleague immediately picked up his bleeding body and took him to a nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead. Four members from his family reached here Sunday morning to claim his body from Deen Dayal Upadhyay hospital where it was brought for post-mortem.

“There is an injury mark on his head near the left ear. The doctors said that he had perhaps lost his life on the spot because of the speed with which he was thrown from the car and dragged for such a distance,” said Suresh, Ram’s relative.

The accused — Raman Kumar, a resident of Shastri Nagar was also accompanied by two minors who had allegedly prompted him to the run the car over Ram. After the incident two auto rickshaw drivers apparently tried to chase the errant driver but he fled the spot. He was later found taking refuge at his sister’s house in Uttam Nagar.